Over a hundred neighbors turned out for a full day of activities June 18 at the New Park on 9th Ave NW. A morning work party was followed by an Ice Cream Social, and the day was capped off by a showing of Wall-E after dark, as reported by MyBallard.com - http://www.myballard.com/2009/07/18/big-turnout-for-movie-at-new-park/

We thank Mayor Greg Nickels for participating in our Annual Meeting on March 11, 2008, (see photos) and bringing the exciting news of a preliminary agreement to purchase this 39,000 square foot property on the 7000 block of 9th Ave NW. Groundswell and Seattle Parks have had our eyes on this property, previously owned by the Seventh Elect Church in Israel, for nearly 18 years.

On May 4, 2008, there was a well-attended celebration of this new park purchase. See photos of the celebration here. You can keep up with the latest news about the new park on our web page here.

Covered largely with well kept gardens, this site fills a large gap in our open space network and promises to become an extremely valuable community asset for southeast Whittier Heights and all of Ballard. We thank the owners for their desire to preserve this property for a park, and Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher and his staff, particularly Donald Harris and Lise Ward, for acting quickly to reach this preliminary agreement. Over 50 interested neighbors attended a March 27 public meeting to discuss the pending purchase, which now has approval from the City Council.

The new Parks and Green Spaces Levy includes $800,000 for development of the park. For more information, visit www.seattle.gov/parks/proparks/projects/BallardPark.htm, or contact Donald Harris, Seattle Parks and Recreation, 206-684-8018 or donald.harris@seattle.gov. We look forward to working with Seattle Parks and Recreation and neighbors of the site to plan and build Ballard's latest park.